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Flexible and insulative Plasmalene wire coatings for biomedical applications
1Nichols Technologies Inc., Columbia, Missouri 65201.
Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Plasmalene, a new polymer coating, offers superior insulation and durability for wires. Unlike Parylene and Teflon, Plasmalene maintained low leakage currents after extensive mechanical stress, proving its effectiveness as a wire encapsulant.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Electrical Engineering
Background:
- Hermetic polymer coatings are crucial for protecting wire substrates in demanding environments.
- Existing coatings like Parylene and Teflon face challenges with mechanical durability and insulation integrity under stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and evaluate a novel polymer, Plasmalene, as a hermetic coating for wire substrates.
- To compare the mechanical and electrical performance of Plasmalene against Parylene and Teflon under cyclic strain.
Main Methods:
- Plasmalene coatings were applied to Gold, Platinum, and MP35N wires using radio frequency (RF) plasma polymerization and thermal vapor deposition.
- Coated wires underwent flex testing (50,000 cycles, 11% strain, 170-degree arc) in a saline bath with a +5VDC bias.
- Electrical leakage currents were measured to assess insulation integrity.
Main Results:
- Parylene and Teflon coatings showed significant increases in leakage currents (microampere levels) after cyclic stressing.
- Plasmalene-coated wires maintained low picoampere leakage currents, demonstrating no significant degradation.
- Plasmalene exhibited superior insulative properties and mechanical durability compared to conventional coatings.
Conclusions:
- Plasmalene is a highly effective and mechanically robust hermetic polymer coating for wire encapsulation.
- The novel synthesis process yields a superior material for applications requiring long-term electrical insulation under mechanical stress.